A new pope is typically elected in a conclave that begins between 15 to 20 days after the papal seat becomes vacant due to the death or resignation of the pope. The process involves the College of Cardinals meeting in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, where they vote in secret until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority. For example, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the conclave to elect his successor began on May 7, 2025, 16 days later. The voting can continue over several days, with up to four rounds of voting daily after the first day. If the cardinals cannot elect a pope within three days, they may take a day of prayer and discussion before resuming. A new pope is indicated by white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney, while black smoke signals further voting rounds are needed. So, in general:
- The conclave starts about two to three weeks after the pope's seat is vacant.
- Voting continues until a two-thirds majority is achieved.
- The process can last from a couple of days up to about three weeks, depending on how quickly consensus is reached.
This election process has been in place for centuries and remains largely unchanged in its fundamental procedures.
